In a high mountain meadow, protected by the peaks of Sugarloaf Ridge, is the home of the largest observatory in the western United States dedicated to public viewing and education, the Robert Ferguson Observatory. As TV host Rachel Ray would say, “How cool is that!”
Starry skies and fiery suns
Visitors to RFO can experience the thrill of seeing a solar flare erupt on the Sun and leap towards earth, spewed up from the depths of the orb’s 27-million degree center, or view the brilliant night sky with its clouds of stars, and look at the planets of our solar system in startlingly vivid detail. You need no knowledge of astronomy to be mesmerized by the skies that have intrigued mankind since the dawn of time.
Take a hike
RFO is open for solar and night viewing 11 months a year, from January through November. Many visitors combine a visit with a hike through Sugarloaf Ridge State Park or, in the summer months, camp overnight. “I’ve never been to the telescope before,” said Larry Lancina of Santa Rosa, who was taking his grandson through the observatory, “we usually hike the trails, but he’s studying science and this was a good chance to bring him here to see things close up.” Nine-year-old Josh Lancina proved to be a knowledgeable student. When asked which planet in our solar system had lost its status as a planet, he promptly replied, “Pluto.” He and his grandfather explored the surface of the Sun through a special instrument and were surprised to learn how sunspot activity can affect astronauts and high-flying airplanes as well as communications devices. On his tour of the telescopes and viewing dazzling pictures of celestial spheres, Josh Lancina put his own technology to good use, and afterward proudly showed off the 42 pictures he had taken with his new cell phone.
Strike a spark
Striking a spark of enthusiasm in visitors is the goal of the observatory and the more than 70 docents who volunteer at RFO. Docents are stationed throughout the facility to guide visitors and demonstrate the three different telescopes and explain what they are used for. The docents range in background from a high school physics teacher to a retired court reporter. Their common bond is a love of astronomy and a desire to share that excitement with others. “In 10 years RFO has brought thousands of people closer to the skies and the marvels that they contain,” said docent Bill Russell.
Party with the stars
Colleen Ferguson, daughter of Robert Ferguson and current president of RFO, works with the board to develop the event and class schedule. “We have a variety of sessions that fit all different levels of experience,” said Ferguson, “and the observatory can be rented for events, birthdays or parties.”
Monthly stargazing evenings offer the public an introductory experience that includes viewing with all three telescopes – the 24-inch telescope, the eight-inch refracting telescope and the CCD imaging telescope. Often astronomers will set up their own instruments in the outdoor area next to the facility. These avid amateurs are also eager to share their knowledge and telescopes with interested visitors. A public viewing date to remember is February 20, when there will be a full lunar eclipse.
Other scheduled events are the Night Sky series, classes that focus on the seasonal skies and cover basic technical topics as well as viewing and discussion of constellations, myths and history and observation of our galactic “neighborhood”; Observing Labs that feature small group sessions weekly; and, for those who got a telescope for Christmas but haven’t mastered it yet, there’s even a course on How to Use Your Telescope.
Ferguson sees a larger purpose to looking up at the stars. “My father used to comment that ‘looking through telescopes puts our day-to-day troubles in perspective. It’s hard to stay upset about things when you’re confronted with our small and fragile planet in relation to the immensity of the universe.’ Sky viewing provides a deep connection with our ancestors who looked up at the same evening skies, and the observatory is an ideal environment for contemplating the origin of the universe and our place within it.”
The observatory may be reserved for Star Parties: private evenings at the facility for up to 50 guests with RFO staff who provide special sky interpretation and operate the telescopes. “It’s a great way to introduce the wonders of the night sky to your family or friends,” said Ferguson, “or to give someone you love a night to remember.”
Fees:
Public solar observing – Free
Public night observing – $3.00
Star Party – $222 (includes use of picnic grounds; parking is additional)
For other labs and courses, please contact RFO for exact date, time and cost. For further information, please call 707.833.6979 or visit www.rfo.org.
Robert Ferguson was an enthusiastic amateur astronomer who created “Striking Sparks,” a program that provides ten telescopes a year to Sonoma County schoolchildren. The telescopes were initially handmade by Ferguson and the Sonoma County Astronomical Society, an organization to which he belonged for many years. He became the inspiration for the development of the observatory, a project that took nearly 10 years to be realized. In 1995, the Valley of the Moon Observatory Association (VMOA) was formed; the first phase of the observatory was completed in 1997 and the final phase in 2003.
The California State Parks approved the observatory site on state land as a means to increase park attendance and encourage public education in the sciences. The project was a community-supported initiative committed to strengthening local science and mathematics education. The facility was built with private donations and was originally a subset of the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association. VMOA is a nonprofit entity, comprising volunteer amateur and professional astronomers and supported by visitor fees, class and lab fees and subscribers and donors.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Elevations within the 2,700-acre park range from 600 feet at the entrance to 2,729 feet at the top of Bald Mountain.
Sonoma Creek begins in the park and runs for three miles through its southern portion. It’s too shallow for swimming, and often dries up by late summer, so fishing (for trout) is best in late spring/early summer. The creek is not planted. Season dates and stream closures vary each year; check the current California Fish and Game regulation.
In the spring, the park comes alive with wildflowers including California poppies, cream cups, lupine, penstemon, buttercups, several varieties of pea, shooting stars, trillium and Indian warrior.
